2. Most of us will be familiar with the term ‘there is no ‘I’ in
teams’. This statement is certainly not without merit.
We all at some point will have been a member of a
team where there is a constant battle between several
prominent ‘I’s’ and perhaps you were one of them. I am
also guilty as charged.
3. Competing can feel good
If you are living in a western culture you will have learned
that it is important to be seen and noticed. Striving for
significance, respect and status within a group can often
mean we end up either fighting or competing with other
people, either overtly or covertly.
If everybody competes then team activities are going to
be fruity indeed. They are going to be overly noisy and
information exchange is going to be difficult and
messages unclear.
4. The ‘I’ can save the group from certain death
There seem to be a number of instances where having a
strong ‘I’ can be essential to team effectiveness. One of
these is accountability.
We know in high performing teams, its members hold
one another accountable for performance standards.
Another key area is in decision making. Teams can drift
into group think and nobody challenges the groups
thinking.
A strong ‘I’ can do this. The individual does not get
subsumed by the group and ensures that their counter
voice is clearly heard.
5. A mature ‘I’ can make a huge difference
The type of ‘I’ that comes into the group is essential. If
the ’I’ is immature then the way the ‘I’ holds others
accountable or the way it challenges group think can
sound adolescent. It can be received unfavourably.
A mature ‘I’ can make a real difference to team
effectiveness.
A mature ‘I’ can bring their voice in, and do so in a way
that is respected and heard. It sounds considered,
empathic and sagacious. It is also concerned with
establishing the truth and finding the best solution for the
team and the business.
6. Transforming the ‘I’
Through increased self - awareness and behavioural
training, MaST can significantly reduce the noise and
increase the clarity in information exchange.
We can do this by helping members, firstly recognise
and then change competing behaviours in to sustaining
cooperative behaviours. This also helps to create vitality
in a group and a closer bond.
7. To learn more about how MaST can transform your teams
please contact Mark Hawkswell
on 0800 316 9090, by email mark.hawkswell@mast.co.uk
or visit our website www.mast.co.uk